Indian Medicinal Plants An Illustrated Dictionary

480 Phragmites communis Trin.
P
Ayurvedic ◮ Jivanti (substitute).
(Dendrobium macraei Lindl. is also
used as a substitute for Jivanti.
Jivanti is equated with Leptadenia
reticulata W. & A.)
Action ◮ Age-sustaining tonic,
restorative.
Phragmites communis Trin.
Family ◮ Gramineae; Poaceae.
Habitat ◮ The Himalayas, from
KashmirtoKumaonuptoan
altitude of 4,000 m.
English ◮ Common Reed.
Folk ◮ Dila, Dambu (Punjab).
Action ◮ Rhizomes and roots—diuretic,
emmenagogue, diaphoretic,
hypoglycaemic, antiemetic.
The rhizomes are rich in carbohydrates;
contain nitrogenous substances
5.2, fat 0.9, N-free extr. 50.8, crude
fibre 32.0, sucrose 5.1, reducing sugars
1.1, and ash (rich in silica) 5.8%; asparagine
0.1% is also present. Leaves
possess a high ascorbic acid content
(200 mg/100 g).Nodes and sheaths
yield 6.6% and the underground parts
over 13% of furfural.
The root of common Reed is prescribed
in Chinese traditional medicine
as an antipyretic against influenza
and fevers. Presence of polyols,
betaines and free poline has been reported
in the methanolic extract. The
extract is reported to show bactericidal
activity. The root gave a polysaccharide
which contains sugars, arabinose,
xylose and glucose in a molar ratio
of 10:19:94; some of the fractions showed
immunological activity.
Phragmites karka Trin. ex Steud.
Synonym ◮ P. roxburghii (Kunth)
Steud.
P. maxima Blatter & McCann in
part.
Family ◮ Gramineae; Poaceae.
Habitat ◮ Throughout India, in
marshy places.
English ◮ Common Reed-grass.
Ayurvedic ◮ Nala. (Arundo donax
Linn. is also equated with Nala.)
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Perunanal.
Folk ◮ Narakul.
Action ◮ Stem and rhizome—
diuretic, diaphoretic. Used topically
to relieve insect bite.
P. karka is not discriminated from P.
communis for medicinal uses in Indian
medicine.
Phyla nodiflora (L.) E. Greene.
Synonym ◮ Lippia nodiflora A. Rich.
Family ◮ Verbenaceae.
Habitat ◮ Throughout India, near
fresh water bodies.
English ◮ Jalapippali, Shaaradi,
Shakulaadani, Matsyagandhaa,
Matsyaadani, Laangali, Vashiraa.
Siddha/Tamil ◮ Poduthalai.
Action ◮ Spasmolytic, diuretic,
febrifuge.